ASHTON COMMITS FUTURE TO BORO

Stevenage FC confirm that Jon Ashton, out of contract this summer, has today signed a 2-year extension to keep him at the Club until 2015.

The 30 year old centre half, who has made over 160 appearances for Boro, has almost fully recovered from an operation on his Achilles Tendon and will complete his rehab over the summer.

Ashton joined Stevenage in 2009 and in his first full season with the club he was part of the Championship winning side, and was an integral part of the league’s tightest defence that season – conceding just 24 goals in 44 games.

The following year came with more success; despite promotion to League Two, Stevenage again had the best defensive record in the division. A successful season was capped with victory over Torquay United at Old Trafford in the Play-off Final to secure a second successive promotion.

Ashton has long been a rock in the Boro back line.

Ashton continued to impress and helped the side to a Play-off place in League One in the 2011/12 season, but ultimately a narrow defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane stopped the opportunity of an historic third successive promotion.

Chairman Phil Wallace spoke to the official website as news broke of Ashton’s commitment to the club, and said: "Jon is a powerful player for us and it's no coincidence that our sharp drop in form last season coincided with Jon's injury. But his rehab has been exceptional and we know enough about him to give him a new deal, even though he's still recovering from the op and been out for several months.”

Wallace added: “I would also like to take a moment to publicly thank Charlton Athletic FC for allowing Jon to use their anti gravity treadmill, which has benefited greatly in his rehab".